As of: March 30, 2024, 7:00 a.m
By: Timo Aichele
Comments
Press
Split
Proud finders: Peter Kapustin and his sons Constantin and Alexander (from left) with the ancient elephant bones. The location is still secret. © private
“World sensation”: Peter Kapustin and his sons find a ten-million-year-old ancient elephant cemetery in the district.
Erding
- A ten million year old prehistoric elephant cemetery, somewhere in the Erding district - this find is reported by the operator of the Taufkirchen Prehistoric Museum, Peter Kapustin. The amateur paleontologist explains that the actual finders were his sons Alexander (10) and Constantin (9). However, he will only reveal where exactly the excavation site is and further circumstances of this “world sensation” at a press conference on April 15th. He will remain persistent even when asked by various media outlets.
“The circumstances and history of the discovery are characterized by uniqueness and will contribute to gaining new insights from a time long past,” writes Kapustin in the invitation. He gives a telephone interview in the car on Good Friday. The whole family is on the way to Zurich to a large prehistoric museum, and mom Ekaterina Kapustin is also there.
“Primitive elephants have always been found. “It depends on the type,” the 40-year-old suggests when asked. A good 50 years ago, the remains of an eleven-million-year-old prehistoric elephant were discovered on the Inn loop between Mühldorf and Ebing.
In addition to details of the Erdinger excavation, some original fossils that have already been prepared will also be presented on April 15th. He and his sons then report on their find with the technical support of dinosaur taxidermist Nils Knötschke, the former scientific director of the Dinosaur Open Air Museum in Münchehagen. “We know the approximate age of the fossils based on the layers of the earth,” says volunteer museum director Kapustin.
The photos from the excavation are months old. Secrecy is a given, Alexander and Constantin also know that. “It’s about protecting excavations,” says Kapustin. The property owners and the find itself must be protected from negative consequences.
“If you find a bone that old, you can’t just pick it up.” In contrast to younger bones from the Ice Age, fossils that are this old could crumble in your hands. “The bones always need to be hardened. The easiest trick is to put them in glue with water.”
Last but not least, it is also about the safety of the treasure hunters. Typical locations are gravel pits with often steep walls. “I always warn urgently: Don’t go into a sand or gravel pit.” The 40-year-old self-taught artist has prepared himself for paleontology with a lot of self-study, exchanges with colleagues and his own experiences. He regularly digs in the Freising district in the Hallertau, but he doesn't reveal where exactly. “I went there after work for years,” says the managing director of the Bavarian Athletics Association. Dad is very pleased that Alexander and Constantin are now there more and more often. “Six eyes see more than two.”
The Bavarian Excavation Protection Act is a fortunate circumstance. According to this, half of a fossil belongs to the property owner and half to the finder. This means that fewer finds would disappear into cellars to save money.
My news
Meloni takes action: Italy cancels the “super bonus” read
After rocket attacks on Ukraine, Poland launches fighter jets in the middle of the night
NATO fighter jets rise: Russian planes intercepted over the Baltic Sea
Europe wants to invest massively in nuclear power – the Greens react calmly: “Our energy supply is secure” read
Cheese recall: Federal Office warns of health risks – according to the RKI, three groups are particularly susceptible to focus reading
Wages instead of citizens' money: Jobcenter starts unusual reading campaign
He got his passion from his father, who, however, was more into archaeological finds. “The initial spark was the film 'Jurassic Park',” enthuses the 40-year-old. From then on he read everything on the subject. “With the first money I earned, I bought a complete cave bear skeleton, which can now be seen in the Prehistoric Museum.”